Shuler marks another loss for balance

Published: Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 3, 2012 at 6:48 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler’s decision not to seek a fourth term is an ominous sign for Democrats in North Carolina, and it’s more evidence that moderates in both parties are becoming an endangered species.

The Waynesville Democrat shocked no one Thursday when he announced his decision to “retire” from the seat he won in 2006 from former Republican Congressman Charles Taylor of Brevard, who had held the seat the previous 16 years.

Shuler certainly knew he would have a hard time winning again after the Republican-controlled N.C. General Assembly redrew the 11th Congressional District last year. Yet, in waiting until 10 months before the general election to bow out, he has made it less likely that Democrats can field a candidate who can win in the increasingly Republican mountain district.

When the legislature removed the reliably Democratic heart of Asheville from the district and added those voters to the reliably Republican 10th District, the chances of any Democrat holding the seat fell dramatically. Shuler, a socially and fiscally conservative Democrat who voted with Republicans on many issues, would have had a hard time winning again, despite being an incumbent. His departure from the race leaves Asheville City Councilman Cecil Bothwell as the frontrunner on the Democratic ticket.

Meanwhile, at least eight Republicans have lined up to run for the seat, although Hendersonville businessman Jeff Miller, who challenged Shuler two years ago, is not among them. Unless Republicans make the mistake of running a very weak or erratic candidate, they will be highly favored to pick up the seat this year.

Two years ago, Miller, riding his immense local popularity as founder of HonorAir, clobbered Shuler in staunchly Republican Henderson County, taking almost 65 percent of the vote to Shuler’s 35 percent. But across the 11th District, which includes 15 westernmost North Carolina counties, Shuler won by a comfortable 54 percent to 46 percent margin.

That outcome left a bad taste in the mouths of Republicans who saw seat after seat change from blue to red nationwide in their historic 2010 surge. Republicans have been eager to have another crack at the seat ever since. Miller has endorsed Jackson County real estate investor Mark Meadows, and several other potentially strong candidates are running.

After giving President Barack Obama a narrow victory four years ago, the Tarheel State seems to be trending red. Within the past few days, North Carolina Democrats have seen two moderate leaders — Gov. Beverly Perdue and now Shuler — decide not to seek re-election.

In announcing his decision, Shuler made no mention of redistricting but said he wants to spend more time with his wife and children. No doubt the former NFL quarterback is relieved that he will not face a bruising and expensive campaign that would likely end in defeat. For six years, he has endured attacks from Republicans claiming that he was a closet liberal, even though his voting record regularly infuriated liberals in his party.

Shuler voted against his party and president in opposing health care reform and the first stimulus bill, and also voted against the $700 billion financial bailout in 2008. Endorsed by the National Rifle Association and anti-abortion groups, he nonetheless was goaded by Republicans for voting with his caucus on issues such as cap and trade for air pollution and legislation supporting unions.

In his six years in Congress, Shuler will be remembered for his leadership in the moderate to conservative Blue Dog caucus. The 2010 election thinned the ranks of these consensus-seeking pragmatists from 54 to 25. The decision of moderates like Shuler and Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona not to run again makes it less likely Congress will be able to reach consensus on issues such as immigration and campaign reform.

Shuler’s detractors may remember him for his evasive answers to questions about his influence on a real estate deal involving the Tennessee Valley Authority. Conservatives will recall he once voted for Nancy Pelosi, a San Francisco liberal, for House speaker (he later challenged her unsuccessfully). Liberals will decry his votes against health care reform as he was raising more cash from the health care and insurance industries than any other Democratic House member from North Carolina.

Moderate voters, however, will remember Shuler as someone who listened to all sides and tried to bridge the ever-growing partisan divide. Some of his most lasting accomplishments are in the area of public lands.

Shuler helped finalize a settlement to end a 67-year dispute between the federal government and Swain County over a road through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And he helped pass bipartisan legislation to allow the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in Flat Rock to expand and build a visitor center.

In his six years in office, Shuler demonstrated that he understood one important concept: Our leaders are elected to represent all of their constituents, not just their party faithful, even though that can be messy, difficult and uncomfortable at times. Whoever wins the race for the 11th Congressional seat this November should also remember that principle.

<p>U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler’s decision not to seek a fourth term is an ominous sign for Democrats in North Carolina, and it’s more evidence that moderates in both parties are becoming an endangered species.</p><p>The Waynesville Democrat shocked no one Thursday when he announced his decision to retire from the seat he won in 2006 from former Republican Congressman Charles Taylor of Brevard, who had held the seat the previous 16 years.</p><p>Shuler certainly knew he would have a hard time winning again after the Republican-controlled N.C. General Assembly redrew the 11th Congressional District last year. Yet, in waiting until 10 months before the general election to bow out, he has made it less likely that Democrats can field a candidate who can win in the increasingly Republican mountain district.</p><p>When the legislature removed the reliably Democratic heart of Asheville from the district and added those voters to the reliably Republican 10th District, the chances of any Democrat holding the seat fell dramatically. Shuler, a socially and fiscally conservative Democrat who voted with Republicans on many issues, would have had a hard time winning again, despite being an incumbent. His departure from the race leaves Asheville City Councilman Cecil Bothwell as the frontrunner on the Democratic ticket.</p><p>Meanwhile, at least eight Republicans have lined up to run for the seat, although Hendersonville businessman Jeff Miller, who challenged Shuler two years ago, is not among them. Unless Republicans make the mistake of running a very weak or erratic candidate, they will be highly favored to pick up the seat this year.</p><p>Two years ago, Miller, riding his immense local popularity as founder of HonorAir, clobbered Shuler in staunchly Republican Henderson County, taking almost 65 percent of the vote to Shuler’s 35 percent. But across the 11th District, which includes 15 westernmost North Carolina counties, Shuler won by a comfortable 54 percent to 46 percent margin.</p><p>That outcome left a bad taste in the mouths of Republicans who saw seat after seat change from blue to red nationwide in their historic 2010 surge. Republicans have been eager to have another crack at the seat ever since. Miller has endorsed Jackson County real estate investor Mark Meadows, and several other potentially strong candidates are running.</p><p>After giving President Barack Obama a narrow victory four years ago, the Tarheel State seems to be trending red. Within the past few days, North Carolina Democrats have seen two moderate leaders  Gov. Beverly Perdue and now Shuler  decide not to seek re-election.</p><p>In announcing his decision, Shuler made no mention of redistricting but said he wants to spend more time with his wife and children. No doubt the former NFL quarterback is relieved that he will not face a bruising and expensive campaign that would likely end in defeat. For six years, he has endured attacks from Republicans claiming that he was a closet liberal, even though his voting record regularly infuriated liberals in his party.</p><p>Shuler voted against his party and president in opposing health care reform and the first stimulus bill, and also voted against the $700 billion financial bailout in 2008. Endorsed by the National Rifle Association and anti-abortion groups, he nonetheless was goaded by Republicans for voting with his caucus on issues such as cap and trade for air pollution and legislation supporting unions.</p><p>In his six years in Congress, Shuler will be remembered for his leadership in the moderate to conservative Blue Dog caucus. The 2010 election thinned the ranks of these consensus-seeking pragmatists from 54 to 25. The decision of moderates like Shuler and Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona not to run again makes it less likely Congress will be able to reach consensus on issues such as immigration and campaign reform.</p><p>Shuler’s detractors may remember him for his evasive answers to questions about his influence on a real estate deal involving the Tennessee Valley Authority. Conservatives will recall he once voted for Nancy Pelosi, a San Francisco liberal, for House speaker (he later challenged her unsuccessfully). Liberals will decry his votes against health care reform as he was raising more cash from the health care and insurance industries than any other Democratic House member from North Carolina.</p><p>Moderate voters, however, will remember Shuler as someone who listened to all sides and tried to bridge the ever-growing partisan divide. Some of his most lasting accomplishments are in the area of public lands.</p><p>Shuler helped finalize a settlement to end a 67-year dispute between the federal government and Swain County over a road through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And he helped pass bipartisan legislation to allow the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in Flat Rock to expand and build a visitor center.</p><p>In his six years in office, Shuler demonstrated that he understood one important concept: Our leaders are elected to represent all of their constituents, not just their party faithful, even though that can be messy, difficult and uncomfortable at times. Whoever wins the race for the 11th Congressional seat this November should also remember that principle.</p>